After studying a larva sample collected from a city-owned tree in Grinnell on June 16, 2015, researchers have identified an invasive pest, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The total of confirmed infested counties since EAB was first discovered in Iowa in 2010 has now been increased to 25.

Ash tree species are killed by this small, metallic-green beetle which originally belongs to Asia. "This finding marks the seventh county in 2015 where EAB has been detected. As the summer wears on and people are more observant of their ash trees, it is inevitable that more counties will be added to the list", said Mike Kintner, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship EAB and gypsy moth coordinator.

Efforts are being made for years by the City of Grinnell Public Services to be well prepared to deal with the arrival of EAB. This is the reason they removed ash trees in the poorest condition first. The city will also incorporate replacement trees and preventative treatment for selected trees. Nearly 400 city-owned ash trees exist in City of Grinnell.

Under a statewide quarantine, issued in February 2014, the movement of hardwood firewood, ash logs, wood chips and ash tree nursery stock is restricted from moving out of Iowa into non-quarantined areas of other states.

Chances are very high for an ash tree to die after getting infected with the Emerald Ash Borer. States like Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and others have been already dealing with the problem of Emerald Ash Borer.

The beetle was first discovered near Detroit, Michigan, in the summer of 2002.